BEIJING (NEWSnet/AP) — A section of a highway collapsed early Wednesday in southern China, sending cars tumbling and leaving at least 24 people dead, state media reported.

Eighteen cars fell down a slope after a 58.7-foot long section of the highway crumbled, according to a statement from authorities in Meizhou city in Guangdong province.

Parts of Guangdong province have seen record rains and flooding in the past two weeks, as well as hail. 

Witnesses told local media they heard a loud noise and saw a hole open up several meters wide behind them after driving past the section of the road just before it collapsed.

Rescue workers have taken 30 people to the hospital, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

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